Author Note: Hey, SuperShadow30 here. Well, it's been quite awhile since I've published or updated anything, so I figured what better way to get back on track with things here than to publish a fic on an anime that I've long been planning on publishing. This will be an s-CRY-ed fic, yes I understand it's an older anime/manga, but I've loved it since I first saw it back in 2005 and for awhile now I've wanted to write a fic based on it. However this fic will be slightly different. It will be a high-school fic (yes I know I've done several of those lately, but this will be the last HS fic of any kind I publish for quite awhile, I swear), and there will be several elements that will and wont be in the story. For instance:

Alter-users will be in, but far fewer than in the anime or manga, Kazuma will be the only known Alter-user to start out with, and this will only be by a few people only.

It will take place in their senior year.

Kazuma and Ryuhou's rivalry will be slightly downplayed, being that they are more of ex-friends than enemies.

A few characters will be crossing-over, emphasis on a few so that the main characters are the focus almost the whole time.

Characters will be slightly OOC, but not by a huge margin.

As for other changes, you'll have to read through to find them. As of yet, I haven't decided on if they're will be any huge fights like in the anime, but expect some action, and yes I hope to have at least one major fight between Kazuma and Ryuhou by stories end. As I'm not the most dedicated of writers and I have at least 4 other stories I'm working on, updating wont be constant, but I will do what I can to make sure it stays updated within a fair amount of time, provided that enough people like it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this fic.

"..." = speech.

Italics = thoughts.

Bold = Yelling, inner conflict/inner voice, etc.

Disclaimer: If you seriously believe that I own s-CRY-ed, you're out of your freakin' mind. If I did, I'd have my own place and everything I could ever ask for cause I'd have money. I'm broke, got nothing. So no, I don't own s-CRY-ed or any of it's characters if you still haven't figure it out. I only own the plot, that's mine.


Kazuma's POV

Rain, rain, rain...dammit...

I stared out the window while thinking to myself, sighing in disgust.

Ugh, as if this night couldn't get any worse.

All I wanted to do was just enjoy this Thursday night, but no, Cougar had to invite our whole circle over...Kimishima and Ayase, Akira...all I wanted to do was just play Xbox, and could they possibly turn that damn movie up any more?!

You're probably wondering why I'm gripin', so I'll explain. Name's Kazuma Torisuna, age 18. It's April...damn...twenty...ninth? No wait...ah! The thirtieth, two-thousand-nine.

"Hm...prom's this Saturday isn't it?" I said while propping my head up with my hand, staring out into the growing darkness. Glancing at the clock, I see it's just now 7 pm.

Geez, is it really that late? Coulda sworn just yesterday we won state in football.

Thinking back, I'm gonna miss playing high school sports. Maybe I wasn't the star player, but I did have fun crashing through that defense line. Coach always said I could go pro if I really wanted to. Eh, who wants a bunch of jerks following your every move through life? No thanks.

And basketball.

Not nearly as exciting as football, but at least it gave me something to do after the season was over.

Anyway, I'm a senior at the local high school. It's not much, just a few hundred students, but I'm not complaining. There's no way I could go to one of those huge ass schools with thousands of other people. Not a fan of people, not that I'm anti-social where I hate socializing, just like my space is all.

Getting up, I walk out of the living room and into the kitchen. It's still a little light out, even with the storm overhead. Opening the fridge, I look to see...nothing I want.

I'm your normal teenage guy, like sports, video games, stuff like that. Also don't mind a good fight now and then, and girls, cant forget them...but then again I'm one of the only guys in the senior class that hasn't even dated, danced, or hell, even had a good conversation with a girl lasting more than a minute or so. Kinda wish that I was a bit more like my "brother", Straight Cougar.

Closing the door, I look over into the main room of the house, seeing everyone in the light given off by our huge 50-inch tv. Kimishima and Ayase on the couch against the wall across from the tube, Cougar sitting on the sitting on the love seat that sat on the edge of the carpet, separating the room from the breakfast nook. Basically, the kitchen, breakfast nook and main room were all one big room.

Cougar's not really my brother, more like an arrogant ass who taught me everything I know about fighting. Let's see, besides him in my little circle-of-friends, there's Kanami Yuta, she's almost into high school now I think. Like a little sister, yet she also tries to act like my mother sometimes too. Annoying but I would never say that to her up-front.

Glancing around, I notice that I don't see the two others that should be here. Going over to the sliding door that led out to the backyard, I look down over the couch and see...Akira and Kanami laying on their stomachs side by side watching the movie up close. Oookay, I think I'll keep my eye on those two from now on. If its what I think it is...oh boy.

Then there's Kimishima Kunihiko, been my best friend since way back in grade school. Him and his girl Ayase Terada are always the guys I hang out with on a Friday night. That Ayase...always knows how to get me pissed off. And yet, I know she doesn't mean to, just knows exactly which button to push to get me cursing a storm. Her and her brother, Akira live alone.

Heading to the bar, I grab my jacket and slip my shoes on. "Hey Kazuya, where you going?" Cougar turns his head to look at me. I grit my teeth, my eyes narrowing in annoyance. Damn him, I can never tell if he really cant get my name right, or if he's just trying to piss me off. Either way...

Aside from my group, there's a few people I see as acquaintances I can more or less get along with. There's Asuka Tachibana and his girlfriend Cammy, not sure what her last name is. They're pretty cool, sometimes I eat lunch with them. There's Scheris Adjani, she's alright I guess. Only thing I have a problem with her is that she wants to be with that uppity prick, Ryuhou Tairen. Damn him, just thinking about him pisses me off! He used to be a cool dude, till he learned his ability to use Alter.

"I'm gonna go for a walk to the Circle K, I'll be back after a bit," I replied. Blinking, he looks out the window. Kimishima, listening in pauses the movie. "Dude, it's pouring outside...nevermind," he said. As he paused the movie, we could all tell that it had died down, slowly stopping. "There see? I aint wasting my gas."

Oh yeah, forgot you probably don't know about Alter. It's the super-rare ability of a select few who can manipulate matter to however they like. So far, there's only two I know of, him...and me.

"Wellll, you wouldn't have that problem if you would get a more fuel-efficient car. Helps to use your head, little Kazu," Ayase goaded while smirking at me with that I'm-better-than-you-are voice. "Shut it, you know I love that truck. Kimishima and Cougar helped me buy it. Yeah it might not be easy on the stuff but I don't care. I like that Chevy, the way it sounds, looks, feels..." I replied.

That's right, I'm an Alter-user. Mine encases my right arm in really tough armor up to my shoulder, and three fins jut from my back. My hits are so hard they'd put you in the emergency room the second I make contact. As for Ryuhou...well I've never actually seen his, but I have heard of it.

"Is that why you don't have a girlfriend, Kazu-kun?" Kanami joined in, calling me THAT name of all names. Everyone burst out laughing, growling I threw my arms up. "Dammit Kanami! You know full well that's not the case!" I attempted to say, rushing over to get them to stop.

I think that's about it for the guys I know of that are my friends, allies, and enemies.

"Well, I heard somewhere that guys who love their vehicles more than anything else and like acting tough are probably covering up for something that's maybe somewhat lacking-" WHAM. That'll shut Ayase's annoying brother up real fast. They were all in fits by now, Cougar rolling on the ground, Kimishima's eyes watering. "Screw you guys, I'll be back," I replied, slamming the front door as they continued to roar with laughter.

Well...there is one more...her name is Mimori Kiryuu. She's an odd one, that's for sure. She's amazing looking, talented, kind-hearted, smart as hell, athletic as hell, pretty much one of the most popular girls in school. Yet she's often off by herself. In fact, as far as I know the only people she talks to are her boyfriend Ryuhou, and the few girls I know of.

I sighed as I walked down the drenched streets, the cool air brushing against my cheeks. It had to be around 60, not enough for you to freeze to death, but enough to give you a chill, especially if you were out when it was raining.

So weird that someone like her could actually LIKE that ass, let alone him want her the same way. But then, there have been odder things.

I kept walking, trying to get my head cleared up. I couldn't help it...it was so weird. I should be thrilled I'm finally graduating. Most everyone was sure I'd drop out, my grades always in the friggin' toilet whenever football or basketball ended. And yet this year was different, I'd managed to keep them up. Guess being a senior, I realized it was my last chance so I might as well go out strong and ontop of things.

Well, that covers my personal life....well, almost. My last name's Torisuna, I was given that name since I don't know my real last name. My parents...no idea what happened to them. Kanami's the same way, her parents died when she was young so a lot of the time, when she doesn't stay with me and Cougar, she lives with her granddad.

Walking into the convenience store, I walked to the back and grabbed a few goods, a thing of candy and a soda. Heh, what? You thought I'd get what, some over the top energy drink or some crap like that? Please. Paying for my stuff, I headed out and started back for home.

That's not to say that I'm dirt poor, my parents did leave me a fair amount of money. I just don't get more than a set amount every week. Tch, they aren't even around and they give me an allowance. Anyway, guess that pretty much covers everything.

Man, I'm sure gonna miss all this...high school, taking things easy, not worrying about having a job or getting a girlfriend or anything like that. I don't know what it is, but something about this time of my life...I just couldn't get enough of it. It's almost like a drug, I enjoy every second of it...whenever Ryuhou's not around.

Dammit, I hope it doesn't rain anymore. I don't mind the rain, but I'd rather see more appropriate weather, like warm and dry. It is spring after all.


Normal POV

The clouds overhead still threatened to pour, and yet Kazuma didn't bother to hurry home. He glanced around at his surroundings. The town was a small farming community, had just over 8,000 people living there, but the whole place was spread out. Only about 40 percent was commercial and industrial, the rest was all residential areas; schools, small convinience stores, things like that aside from houses. As he walked down the street, he noticed a 2008 Ford Mustang, one that he saw drive by the store as he walked in. It was parked along the side of the road, it's engine off and lights out as well. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

What he heard next though, made him stop and reassess things. Two, no make that three voices could be heard down an alleyway that the car was blocking. (Author's note: The type of alley in this town is a piece of property owned by the city that runs between two people's property and is mostly used for parking cars, burning leaves, storing wood, etc. It's mostly covered with grass and weeds.) The teen could make out a struggle, someone was probably getting beat up or mugged. Thinking over his options, he sighed. "Weakest thing to do would be...ignore and continue on. Yeah forget that," he said to himself. Walking over to a spot in the wet grass, he set his bag of goodies down and headed around the side of the car and entered the foreboding space.

What he heard and saw next made him freeze in his tracks. He couldn't tell who the two men's voices were that were heard, but he'd recognize that girl's voice from a mile away.

"Come on, make this easy and just lie still," one assailant said.

"Yeah, keep still or you'll get way worse than what were going to do," the other replied.

"Please...just let me go...I don't want any of this!" the girl cried.

"Shut up!"

A loud crack of a hand smacking a cheek was heard...and it didn't sound too friendly. Kazuma winced as he heard the sharp gasp from her mouth.

"Please...someone help me! PLEASE!!!" she cried desperately. He knew it...it was Mimori.

"Tch, like anyone's gonna save you. I bet you'll feel real good when we get these damn clothes off," the first one goaded, obviously the leader.

"Hurry up Gary, I want to get in her before someone comes along."

"Relax Paul, there's not going to be anyone out tonight. To cold and wet, just like our girl here," Gary smirked as he tore off Mimori's shirt, causing Mimori to scream.

"Yeah, this will be good-"

"You two bastards are dead," growled a voice from the head of the alley. The two looked up, only for Gary's face to come face-to-fist with an armored fist. The teen was sent flying into a stack of wood, ending up under several blocks of kindling. The attacker whirled around, his fiery golden gaze meeting with the terrified vision of the second would-be rapist. He whimpered before yelling, whipping out a knife he rushed forward, intent on silencing Kazuma. Had it been someone far less strong and less of everything, he might have succeeded. But against this mountain of a man, he didn't have a chance in hell. The knife stabbed against the golden armor on his forearm, easily breaking the blade as it whirled off into the darkness, embedding itself into a wooden fence. Paul slowly turned from where his knife went to look into the rage of this seeming-monster.

He fell to the ground, pathetically begging for his life.

"Please, no! I-it wasn't my idea, it was Gary's! He's one who spotted her! It was him! Please...mercy!"

Kazuma growled, grinding his teeth. His begging only pissed him off all the more. Reaching down, he grasped Paul's collar, lifting him up off the ground.

"Mercy? Sorry all out of that. Pieces of shit like you..." Kazuma said, his eyes closed as he let go of the attacker-turned-victim. He roared in a final fit of rage: "...DON'T DESERVE MERCY!". Everything moved in slow motion as his arm's elbow bullet slammed forward, his fist colliding with Paul's gut as he was sent into the side of the Mustang, easily destroying the passenger side door.

After all was said and done, Kazuma turned and slowly walked toward where Mimori was huddled in a patch of tall grass, her arms wrapped around herself as she whimpered. He reached out to grab her and make sure his classmate was okay, but she lashed out, screaming. "NO STAY AWAY!"

"Mimori it's okay! It's me, Kazuma!" he yelled, grabbing her wrists as she tried to strike him. Mimori's eyes shot open, slowly raising her head to look around at her surroundings. Kazuma couldn't believe what he was seeing. The black-haired beauty was covered in patches of mud, bruises over her mid-section, cheek still red from where the guy slapped her. Most evident of all, her gorgeous blue eyes were puffy and red, an obvious sign that she was either crying well before this happened, or this had gone on for some time.

"Ka...zu...ma?" she said quietly, shaking in his grasp. As he nodded his head, she launched herself at him, trying to get as tight against him as she could. Sobs wracked her body as she held onto him tightly. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Mimori, the strong-willed, kind-hearted, do-anything-for-anybody girl was against him, bawling her eyes out. A passing police officer saw the battered car and entered the alley, recognizing Kazuma.

"Kazuma? What's going on here?"

"These two dudes tried to rape my friend. I'm taking her back to my place, I'll leave these two in your care," he said as he picked up Mimori in his arms, heading out of the alley.

"Wait, she might need to get looked at," the officer said, putting his hand on Kazuma's shoulder.

"Right now, she needs rest. I'll bring her in tomorrow to get looked at, but right now...just let me handle this," he said as he headed out and down the road. "And don't worry, I only live a few blocks away," he called over his shoulder, as another patrol car pulled up behind the first.

Well, so much for a normal Friday evening...


Back at Kazuma's...

"Hey Cougar, thanks for inviting us. That was a good movie," Kimishima said after the movie ended. Ayase and Kanami had gone to take care of the dishes and Akira had gone to the bathroom. The older man shrugged as he got up.

"Eh no problem. If it wasn't for me, Kazuya wouldn't have anyone over ever, aside from Kanami," he said while grabbing a beer from the fridge.

"Maybe. But then, I know the code to the keybox in the back. So I could always find a way inside," Kimishima responded, pouring a glass of Pepsi.

"Wouldn't that be trespassing?" Ayase chided.

"Hey, Kazuma's my friend. He wouldn't call the cops on me," he retorted.

"No, he'd just beat you to a bloody pulp," Cougar responded, taking a swig of his cold one.

"Well...yeah, guess he might," he said glumly. Kazuma might have been a friend, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't let his fists do the talking.

"Well enough of that, you want to go play some 360?" Kimishima offered.

"Nah, I think I'm gonna head home. I could use a bit of sleep," the speedster declined.

"Yeah, I need to get home too Kimishima. Akira's got some field trip he and Kanami are going on with their class tomorrow," Ayase added.

"Aw come on! It's a Saturday, don't those idiots realize that field trips are for weekdays like normal people?!" Kimishima countered.

"Life sucks Kimishima," Akira said while entering the kitchen.

"Besides, prom is tomorrow night Kimishima. We need some rest."

Ayase's boyfriend finally gave up, sighing as he moved over to where Kanami was. "Here kid, I'll take over."

"Thanks Kimishima. You're more helpful than you used to be," she said, handing the towel to him. He shrugged as Kanami headed back to her room, Cougar walking toward the front door.

A bump from Ayase's hips after Kanami and Cougar left the room took his gaze to hers. "What?" he asked.

"There a specific reason why you wanted to do the dishes honey?" she asked suspiciously, aware there could be only one reason he wanted to help. "Well...tomorrow night is prom and-" Kimishima never got to finish his sentence, ending on the floor with Ayase holding a wet frying pan in her hand. "Stupid perverted animal..." she mumbled.

And then that's where the night's normalcy ended. Everyone heard Cougar open the door, the sound of a body falling to the floor could be heard.

"Shit! Ayase, Kimishima get in here NOW!"

Ayase jumped over Kimishima's still body, going around the corner. A sharp intake of breath passed her lips as she beheld the seen before her. A winded Kazuma with his Alter activated, a badly beaten and nearly-half naked Mimori on the floor and Cougar closing the door.

"What happened?!" they both asked the Alter-user. Kazuma got up and shook his head as he carried Mimori into his room.

"Not now, ask me later," he said darkly.

Kanami rushed out of her room after Kazuma had shut his door. She whipped past Akira and looked from Ayase to Cougar. "What's going on?"

"We don't know, Kazuma came in wore out with his Alter on, and he was carrying Mimori, one of his classmates. She was all beat up and her clothes were torn," Cougar said while heading through the living room.

"What?!"

"Don't worry, Kazuma is fine-" Ayase said, trying to reassure Kanami, a moan in the kitchen cutting her off. "What was that?" Kanami asked. "Oh don't worry about him."

"Kimishima? Why is there a huge bump on your head?" Akira asked while standing over him.

"God...Ayase, why'd you hit me with that...what did you hit me with anyway?"

"A frying pan."

"What the? What'd I do to deserve that?!"

"Because you were being disgusting!"

"No I wasn't! I was just asking a question!"

"And it was a bad one!"

"But we've been together for over a year, don't you think we should do it already?"

"You're not helping yourself Kimishima."

"Come on! I'm a man, men have needs and wants, just like women do."

"You're not a man, and I'm not a woman."

"My birthday was last week, I'm 18 now. I'm a man legally."

"Legally, not mentally. In any case, I'm still 17 and I just don't feel ready. You got that, MAN??"

Kanami and Akira were watching this go back and forth, like a tennis match, their heads turning from one to the other. They both sighed as the walked out of the room.

"Wanna watch some tv?" Akira asked.

"Okay," Kanami replied.

Kimishima held an ice pack over his head as he glared at Ayase, earning one right back. "Alright then, when WOULD you feel ready?"

Ayase crossed her arms over her chest. "After I'm married. And just so you know, I want to get out of college first before I get married."

"WHAT?! But that could take up to 4 YEARS to get a degree! You really want to wait that long???" Kimishima asked exasperatedly.

Ayase shrugged as she turned to walk out of the room, smirking as she looked back at him slyly. "Maaaybe...maybe not. Guess you'll have to wait and find out. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go see how Mimori's doing. You coming?"

Kimishima watched her leave, her hair seemingly flowing, her hips swaying as she walked out of the room. He sighed in defeat as he slowly followed her. "Why can't she just go easy on me? Things I do for her..." he mumbled as he walked toward Kazuma's room, his head aching and his ego bruised.


Meanwhile....

Cougar looked at the fist-sized dent that was now part of Kazuma's wall. Said teen was sitting in a chair next to his bed, Mimori huddled under the covers. She had cried herself to sleep, unwilling to sleep unless he was there with her. Kazuma stared angrily at the ground, unable to think of anything other than what the two had done to her.

Cougar shook his head, not so much at the dent, but more at what Mimori had told Kazuma, and he to him. "Listen Kazuya, you've got to take it easy alright?"

"I shouldn't have let them off that easy," Kazuma growled angrily.

"Look Kazuya...you did the right thing. You saved her from being raped, or worse. If you hadn't held back, it would have been you going to jail, not them. Plus, you might have gotten blamed for what happened to Minori if they had found her beaten, those two dead and you with your alter activated. Bad scenario, little bro," Cougar said. Though he was thick-headed most of the time, Kazuma could be reasoned with the right wording. He sighed as his alter finally wore out, dissipating into thin air.

"Guess your right. Still, I don't like it. Look, I've got things taken care of here, why don't you send the others home and stay here the night. I'll call the Kiryuu's and let them know what's going on-"

As if on cue, Kanami knocked on the door, entering to hand the phone to Kazuma.

"It's Mimori's dad...and he doesn't sound too happy Kazu-kun..."

"Speak of the devil."

Taking the phone, he motioned for the other two to leave, closing the door behind them. Taking a breath, he spoke into the line.

"Mr. Kiryuu. Listen, Mimori's fine, she's resting at my place."

"Is she alright?! Let me talk to her."

"Mimori's sleeping right now, I had a few friends over and they helped her out. She was covered in mud and her clothes were ripped. The two jerks who did this to her are down at the station, though I doubt they'll pull anything after what I did to them. Look, she's alright here can I call you tomorrow? It's late and I'm tired. I'll have Cougar stay here with me and we'll look after her...is that okay?"

The phone was silent for what seemed liked an hour before he spoke again. "Alright...I just hope her mother will relax. I'm trusting you young man. And thank you."

After saying goodbye, Kazuma hit the end button, slumping down against the door.

"Man, why cant life just take it easy for once..."

"...ohh...wha...where am I...no....no!"

Kazuma's attention drifted to his bed where Mimori was starting to thrash around. He cursed silently as he got up and grabbed her arms - wrong move. This only made her struggle more, starting to grow louder. "Mimori! Mimori wake up already!" he said, one of her arms getting free and her fist slamming Kazuma across the jaw. His head whipped to the side as her eyes shot open. Hard, ragged breaths exhaled from her mouth as she looked around frantically before stopping on the teen holding his sore jaw.

"...what is....Kazuma...what, where am I?" Mimori asked bewildered.

"Damn...that's some power ya got there Mimori," he said, moving his jaw to check for damage. Nothing more than a mark and some soreness. He then looked at her. "You okay?"

"I...where am I..."

"My place. I found you in an alleyway being assaulted by those guys so I beat their asses to kingdom come," he said, grinning slightly while holding up his right arm.

His attempt at humoring the situation was for nothing, her head bowing as her eyes started to water, memories flooding back of everything that happened the past night.

"...what's going on?!"

"Mimori! It's not what you think!"

"I TRUSTED YOU!"

"Hey pretty lady, how's about we have a little fun?"

Small warm droplets landed on her hands as they gripped the blanket, doing her best to hold back the inevitable flood of pain.

No...I can't cry. Not in front of Kazuma. Guy like him...he hates weakness. How would that make me look...but I...

The memories continued to bombard her, as if it was a relentless assault that would never end. Her body began to shake compulsively, sobs escaping her. She froze as a pair of strong arms encircled her and pulled her against something solid...hard and yet gentle, warm. Mimori looked up through her watered vision to see Kazuma staring down at her softly.

"It's okay Mimori...you're safe now. Nothing's going to get to you anymore..." he said.

As if on cue, the teen buried her head in his chest and let loose, her pain could be heard down the hallway. Cougar and Kanami slowly walked to their own rooms, turning to look at Kazuma's door, then each other.

"You think she'll be okay?" Cougar asked quietly.

"She just needs time to heal...though it feels to me like there's something more that hasn't been told yet," Kanami replied as she entered her room and closed the door.

Cougar looked at her door oddly, then back at Kazuma's.

"Wonder what that's supposed to mean...?" he asked himself, closing the door slowly.

It would be several more hours before Mimori finally drifted off to sleep under the covers, her cheeks stained with the physical manifestation of the pain that had built up so quickly in one night of pain.

Kazuma lay on the floor next to the bed, unwilling to leave her side.

Rest easy Mimori...nothing's getting past me.


Next:

Mimori's pain is only half over. With one problem solved, another arises.

Kazuma: "Mimori...just what all happened last night anyway?"

And when Kazuma finds out what happened that led to her assault, what will he do?

Cougar: "Kazuya, you're not planning anything stupid are you?"

Kazuma: "What if I am?"

To help smooth things out for Mimori, Kazuma may resort to measures he never thought he'd take.

Kazuma: "I was wondering if you'd like to-"

Mimori: "..."

Next time: Drastic

Well, that does it for this chapter. I have to say, I like the way the length went, as for how the story's going, well that is for you to decide.